“Today, despite the promises to observe the ceasefire regime they gave in Donetsk, gunmen shot down a Ukrainian army helicopter that caused the death of nine people,” Poroshenko said

KIEV, June 24, 23:46 /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko said on Tuesday he did not rule out the ceasefire regime in the country’s southeastern regions may be lifted before the appointed date, the press service of the Ukrainian head of state said.

“Today, despite the promises to observe the ceasefire regime they gave in Donetsk, gunmen shot down a Ukrainian army helicopter that caused the death of nine people,” the press service quoted Poroshenko as saying at a meeting with law enforcement and army officers.

According to the press service, self-defence forces in southeastern regions opened fire against the Ukrainian army 35 times since the ceasefire regime had been declared.

“At a meeting with police and army commanders in evening of June 24, the president issued an order to open fire without hesitation. The head of state does not rule out that the ceasefire regime may be lifted earlier than planned, since it is being constantly violated,” the press service said.